Nehemiah 4:7-8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 4:7

The Arabians ... - Probably a band, composed largely of Arabians, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, which Sanballat maintained as a guard to his person, and which formed a portion of “the army of Samaria” Nehemiah 4:2. A quarrel between such a band and the people of Jerusalem might be overlooked by the Persian king. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 4:7-8

Nehemiah 4:7-8. That the breaches began to be stopped That is, the breaches which the Chaldeans had made and left in the walls were well nigh repaired. Then they were very wroth They had flattered themselves with a notion that the work would soon stand still of itself; but when they heard that it went on and prospered, they were angry at the Jews for pushing it forward so hastily, and at themselves for being so slow in opposing it. And conspired all of them together Though of different... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-23

Early opposition (4:1-23)Since the Jews had the Persian king’s approval for their building program, their opponents, being also under the government of Persia, hesitated to attack Jerusalem openly. However, they were still able to mock and ridicule, hoping that this would dishearten the people from building (4:1-5).But the Jews were not easily discouraged and the work continued (6). The enemies therefore planned to create confusion and uncertainty among the Jews by carrying out surprise... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Nehemiah 4:7

But. In Hebrew text, Neh 4 begins here. and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ), for emphasis. stopped = repaired. So the only other occurrence of the Hebrew (2 Chronicles 24:13 ). read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Nehemiah 4:8

hinder = cause a miscarriage. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Nehemiah 4:7

SANBALLAT THREATENS VIOLENCE AGAINST THE BUILDERS"And it came to pass that, when Sanballat and Tobiah, and the Arabians and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth; and they conspired, all of them together, to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to cause confusion therein. But we made our prayer unto God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Nehemiah 4:7-8

Nehemiah 4:7-8. When Sanballat and Tobiah, &c.— The ingenious publisher of the Ruins of Balbeck tells us, that in Palestine he has often seen the husbandman sowing, accompanied by an armed friend, to prevent his being robbed of the seed by the Arabs. This robbing the husbandman of his seed seems to have been an ancient practice of theirs, and to have been referred to, Psa 126:5-6 and made an image by the Psalmist of the happy issue of the first essays of the Jews to re-people their country.... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 4:7

7-21. But . . . when Sanballat . . . heard that the walls . . . were made up, and . . . the breaches . . . stopped—The rapid progress of the fortifications, despite all their predictions to the contrary, goaded the Samaritans to frenzy. So they, dreading danger from the growing greatness of the Jews, formed a conspiracy to surprise them, demolish their works, and disperse or intimidate the builders. The plot being discovered, Nehemiah adopted the most energetic measures for ensuring the common... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Nehemiah 4:1-23

2. The opposition to the workers ch. 4Any attempt to fulfill God’s desires will almost certainly draw opposition from God’s enemies."The real test of a leader is how he or she faces crises and reacts to opposition. This chapter recounts several forms of opposition and how Nehemiah confronted them." [Note: Breneman, p. 193.] The Jews’ enemies used ridicule (Nehemiah 4:1-6), as well as armed resistance (Nehemiah 4:8), to oppose the work. A better translation of the Hebrew word rendered "wealthy"... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 4:1-23

The Machinations of the Enemies of the Jews1. Sanballat] His irritation at Nehemiah’s arrival (Nehemiah 2:10) was increased by the work accomplished by the latter. 2. Fortify themselves] The same word as that used in Nehemiah 3:8, with a like uncertainty of meaning. Some render ’will they (the Persian authorities) let them alone?’ Will they sacrifice?] i.e. in the hope of obtaining supernatural assistance. 4. In the land of captivity] Nehemiah’s desire for the confusion of his enemies not... read more

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